SCO in Islamabad

Islamabad is playing host to the 23rd meeting of the Council of the Heads of Government of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. Elaborate security measures - coupled with some of the best hospitality in cultural realms - have been made to make a success the two-day international gathering that will see heads of states and governments gather in the picturesque federal capital for fine-twining regional cooperation. The Prime Ministers from China, Russia and Central Asian Republics and the First Vice-President of Iran are descending along with the Indian External Affairs Minister, making it a galaxy of who's who to further the agenda of SCO, one of the world's top-ranking regional bodies comprising 40% of the global population and area, as well as 32% of the world's GDP.

For Pakistan, it is an achievement of sorts as regional connectivity is close to its heart. It is home to Beijing's landmark CPEC initiative and sits at the pivot of Central and South Asia. Thus, the SCO - which stretches from the Baltic to the Pacific, and Kazakhstan to India - is looked up to by Islamabad as a game-changer, as the world slides towards multipolarity. Apart from pushing the versatile nine-member body's manifesto of esteemed cooperation, Pakistan is also eager to harness renewed bilateralism with member states, especially India. The roadmap for regional leaders in Islamabad should be to buoy new amalgamations in sectors such as economy, trade and environment, as the multilateral cooperation promotes peace and security in its endeavour to establish a new economic international order.

The SCO member states should also focus on furthering counter-terrorism engagement, apart from nailing down drug and human-trafficking. And with economic indicators nosediving worldwide, the SCO, unlike other regional entities that were a victim of hegemon and bilateral irritants, must take a leap forward to adopt an inclusive agenda, and usher in renewed confidence in geo-economics and erect hassle-free connectivity. Politics of regression must take a backseat to enable SCO to post a difference from Eurasia to India.